Baan Phu Lae

Stylish resort in paradise

What we say:

For a long time, Baan Phu Lae was the only place to stay on Ao Mai Pai, and it remains a favourite despite the formidable competition that has moved in nearby. The first thing you notice is the idyllic beachfront setting, followed by the helpful young staff who often rock dark shades, and finally the high standard of accommodation. Settle into a yellow concrete bungalow just back from the beach, or save some cash by taking one further up the hill with great views from the front porches. Though lacking energy-consuming extras like fridges and hot-water heaters, the bungalows are tastefully decorated with silk throws, wooden furnishings, polished concrete floors, paintings of Thai boats, safes, soft beds and several windows. The restaurant serves excellent and authentic Thai food to go with creative smoothies and cocktails. The staff "get" the whole chilled-out beach traveller thing, striking an agreeable balance between laid back and service minded.

Last reviewed by: David Luekens
Usually found exploring Bangkok's side streets or south Thailand's islands, David Luekens is an American freelance writer & photographer who finds everyday life in Asia to be extraordinary. You can follow his travails here.

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Rated 3.5 out of 5

Based on 9 ratings and 9 reviews

Not that great

January is definetly packed full in this part of Thailand, so we opted for the southern tip, reclusive part of Kho Lanta to escape the crowd and find peace and quiet.

Baan Phu Lae was quiet, but expensive, 1800 bhat for double room with fan. So we expected good. The beach itself is very rocky, hardly no place to swim, and the cove is remote but surrounded by beautiful limestone hills, so get a bike or else your are bound to eat / drink with the guesthouse.

How to say? Am a backpacker, and don't complain about much. But for that hefty price, I wish i could have had nice people.

They are nice indeed, if you're ok to pay 40 bht for a 1 L bottle instead of 19 bht, 150 Bht your main dish, or 300 Bht a motorbike instead of 200 Bht in town. They don't help you out much, charge you triple when not taking official guesthouse taxi.etc.... If you're like me, and try to find your own way (take 10 min ride to 7/11), then nasty desk person is sure to make the stay unfriendly.

We went on the other side of the previous cove, 10 min walk, and found an awesome bar: the sunset bar. Friendly, smiling, helpfull, gorgeous food, really good music.

Baan Phu Lae, not my cup of tea.

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Baan Phu Lae reviewed by Theworldwalker (Total published reviews: 3) on 11th January, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5. after a stay here in 1/2013

Super relaxed

We stayed here with our two 3-year old daughters and had a great time here. This place is super-relaxed and very quiet compared to the rest of Ko Lanta. The food is excellent and staff are very friendly and helpful. The beach is kinda rocky in places, especially when the tide is low. But it's always possible to find a place where you can swim without hitting the rocks.

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Baan Phu Lae reviewed by stanhaas (Total published reviews: 2) on 25th March, 2011
Rated 4 out of 5. after a stay here in 2/2011

It was perfect

My friend and I just finished staying here-- and like the other positive reviews here, the stay is still great. This place is simple, super relaxed, and super friendly. The thai salads & seafood at the restaurant are REALLY good thai food.

When we arrived on Lanta island we were a little overwhelmed at the numbers of people but when we finally got here to the end of the western beaches, there are only three modest places to stay, so it feels like a private piece of quiet paradise; the beach is virtually to yourself or 4 other people. So glad we came to this side of Lanta; the only downside is the bumpy dirt road on a motorbike to get back to other parts of the island... but, we weren't really inclined to anyway :)

One note, if you are considering this place you probably like the chill scene, and another place we became aware of is a set of treehouse accomodations at Baan Sangkha-U Resort on the eastern side of the island.

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Baan Phu Lae reviewed by cosmickid (Total published reviews: 1) on 21st March, 2010
Rated 5 out of 5. after a stay here in 3/2010

Beautiful spot, right on the beach.

Stayed 2 nights, dbl beachfront bungalow, fan, private bathroom, cold shower, 900B per night. Simple but comfortable bungalows at smallish resort, each with excellent hammock on balcony to chill out in. Only 3 resorts on this isolated beach. Good swimming a few minutes walk down the beach (due to rocks in other areas). Restaurant location and views great, food quality varies from excellent to mediocre, but cheap. Fun staff, relaxed atmosphere. Resort located at other end of island from pier and town, ring ahead for pick up.

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Baan Phu Lae reviewed by Samadhi (Total published reviews: 4) on 29th November, 2008
Rated 4 out of 5. after a stay here in 11/2008

New owners at this place?

(My wife and I have been to Thailand 5 times.) We booked and paid online for three nights with lantainfo.com. We left after the first night. Bed sheets were not clean. We itched all night after paying 1300THB/night. Our neighbor had the same problem the next morning. Bathroom was dirty. Major water problems. We lost 2 nights paid accommodations because of the ''contract rules''. We liked the staff and food from the kitchen. The beach is pretty to look at but in the evening when the tide goes out you can see all the rocks. At sunset 6 sand minibikes drove out on the beach to race. Once you arrive at this resort you are stuck because the dust is so bad you won't want to walk on the road: 3-4 inches of fine dust. Restaurant Same same Different 2.5 km away was good. Krabi town is a much better base to do day trips from. Ko Lanta's Freedom Estate is much better at 1500THB/night.

Baan Phu Lae reviewed by meyers66 (Total published reviews: 2) on 16th February, 2008
Rated 1 out of 5. after a stay here in 2/2008

Coolest place on the bay

I didn't actually sleep here (my friend did, while I stayed next door at Bamboo Bay...long story), but I hung out here enough to get a good feel of the place. The bungalows are cute, with a hammock on each porch, although the mattresses are quite hard. The restaurant area is great--we ate almost all of our meals there--with yummy Thai and Western food, a great view, laid-back ambiance and a young, friendly staff always willing to start a dance party or challenge you to a game of Connect Four. The atmosphere definitely seemed more geared to the young backpacker set than other places on the bay--if I came back to Ao Mai Pai, this is where I'd stay!

Baan Phu Lae reviewed by planetclare (Total published reviews: 4) on 7th December, 2007
Rated 4 out of 5. after a stay here in 10/2007

Perfect

First time one of us stayed here was december 2005. We returned 2 years later and it was still perfect. They also provide taxi-services to the town. The road to get to baan phu lae is a real dirt track. Well maintained huts, great kitchen and young, friendly owners.
Just the place you're looking for!

Baan Phu Lae reviewed by dacosta (Total published reviews: 2) on 14th August, 2007
Rated 5 out of 5. after a stay here in 2/2007

A Relaxing Hide-A-Way

We arrived here at the end of October expecting to just stay a few days and eneded up staying for 10, because of the extremely laid back atmosphere.
We had a bungalow, which although basic on the inside, was perfectly situated on the beach front. The beach itself is pleasant but rockier than the photo on their website suggests. However, there are also several quiet sandy bays within easy reach.
The restaurant offers good food in a relaxed setting over looking the sea.
The staff were all very helpful and friendly and made us feel very welcome - inviting us to join in their daily volleyball games etc. They were very keen for us to ''make a party'' every night. Being very boring, we declined as this wasn't what we were there for. The music isn't booming but it may be worth considering taking a bungalow away from the restaurant area if you do not want to be disturbed by the noise.
However, do not be put off by this as we had an incredible time and it was the best place that we stayed during our 5 week visit to Thailand.

Baan Phu Lae reviewed by Squirky (Total published reviews: 2) on 30th November, 1999
Rated 4 out of 5. after a stay here in 10/2006

kim & sandy

we have stayed here twice,last October and in January.We were reluctant to return as we had such a great time on the first occasion.But we need not have worried,the staff are fantastic and the ambience is sooo laid back.We had to drag ourselves away after 2 weeks and we aim to return later this year. Great!!!!!!!

Baan Phu Lae reviewed by kimbos (Total published reviews: 3) on 30th November, 1999
Rated 5 out of 5. after a stay here in 1/2006